It is every true Christian's hope to see Jesus and to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. The power of Christ, His sovereign power, is summed up in this phrase: "I am the resurrection and the life!" (John 11:25-26). It is an unspeakable comfort to all true disciples that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, and will be so to them! Resurrection is a return to life; Christ is the author of that return and gives the life that effects that return. This promise of eternal life in Christ is given to everyone who believes in Him. Mark 16:15-16, John 8:31-32, Acts 2:26-42, Romans 10:9-17 and Revelation 2:10b gives further insight on what it means to believe in Christ. The Lord Jesus did speak of a resurrection of the wicked and the righteous. He says in John 5:28-29 that all who are in the grave will hear His voice. To what shall they be raised? Some to life and some to misery. Those who have died in Christ will be resurrected to live forever. They will be admitted into the presence of God with their new bodies--that is life! But those who lived outside of Christ shall be resurrected to eternal damnation--shut out from the presence of God, that is death! The Bible unquestionably affirms the doctrine of resurrection of all persons from the dead. We all have a corporate destiny to encounter just and divine response to faithfulness and unfaithfulness (Acts 24:15). Are you in Christ? Have you been born again? (John 3:3-5)

Key Text:                  Titus 2:11-13

" For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior”

Theme:

Heaven and the happiness of it is emphatically called the blessed hope because it is the great thing we look for; and a blessed hope because it is the great thing we look for; and a blessed hope because, when we attain it, we shall be completely happy for ever. As Christians, it is our duty and desire to look forward to the coming of Christ. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Are you looking for that blessed hope? Our response to this questions will determine our readiness!

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Read scripture pertaining to Christ’s

    return and Heaven.

2. Get involved in the kingdom of Christ.

    Be determined to be found working for

    Jesus and living for God!

3. Encourage members of the church with

    the hope and joy of heaven and the

    return of Christ (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

4. Share the blessed hope of eternal life

   and the return of Christ with those who

        do not know Jesus.

May the Lord richly bless you!

I. The Blessed Hope

A. Effects of Christ's Return

1. Be Watchful 

    a. No time established for his appearance

       (Matt 24:42) 

        -- Some try to speculate 

        -- The emphasis is to be ready to 
            receive Him

      b. Parable of the 10 Virgins 
          (Matt 25:1-13)

          --foolish ones slept and missed the 

             groom

2. Motivation To Work 

      a. This hope causes a believer to strive to

        live a pure and blameless life (1 John 3:3)

      b. Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30)

3. Motivation To Encouragement 

      a. This hope is for our encouragement 

          (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

B. Our Heavenly Home (Rev. 21:1-5)

1. No more struggles, immense happiness

Conclusion: This Hope Is Given Freely

He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. Rev 21:6

Warm-up:

Have you ever been caught unprepared for a situation that you knew was going to happen well in advance?

See To It                              Matthew 25:1-13

This parable employs the pageantry of an Oriental wedding. Several observations will aid in the understanding of the parable. Eastern weddings were set for a given day, but Orientals have never been as bound by precision of starting or ending times as are those in western culture. The bridal party was to be ready. Sometime after sundown, members of the groom's party, bearing lamps on poles, would depart from the home of the groom and proceed through the streets in a gala procession. They would join with the bridal party, and the two would wind back through the village to the place designated for the ceremony and the wedding feast. The ten virgins of the parable are part of the bridal party.

1. What was the difference between the foolish and the prudent virgins?

2. Did this difference have to do with their attitude towards being prepared (ready)?

3. Why did the bridegroom miss the foolish virgins?

4. Did these virgins still want to be part of the wedding feast?

5. Why weren’t they allowed to come in?

Seeing It Closer:

1. Are you holding a lamp only to run out of oil because of your attitude?

2. Notice that all the virgins fall asleep at one point. When they wake up is when they meet the challenge of preparedness. What does this mean?

Getting To It:

Are you a Christian in heart, soul, mind and strength? Share how your beliefs and convictions are shaping your attitude of preparedness.